Set in the 1970s, the novel revolves around the members of an exclusive hunting club in upstate New York. Long-standing members gather to discuss and disagree on the club’s finances, the admission of a new member and much more. Joining them for the Bicentennial weekend is a detective who manipulates his old college friend whose family is among the members to invite him along. Unbeknownst to the friend or the others, the detective has been hired to gather information about the club and its members and report back on the goings-on to his client, whose identity is gradually revealed. The weekend festivities take a sinister turn when the club turns into the scene of crime for a series of deaths. With inclement weather cutting them off from outside assistance, it is up to the members to find the killer in their midst. As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that more than one person has secrets they would kill to protect and nobody is above suspicion.

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman is an interesting locked-room murder mystery that certainly keeps you guessing till the very end (and beyond). The novel pays homage to Golden Age murder mysteries with a few twists added to the mix, adding a touch of uniqueness. Shared from the perspective of the detective in the first part and an unknown narrator (we assume to be one of the guests) in the other also, the narrative is shared from multiple perspectives switching from the first-person to the third person, also featuring a metafictional element in the form of the author’s commentary, directly addressing the reader, interspersed throughout the narrative. Atmospheric and suspenseful with a healthy dose of wry humor thrown into the mix, the plot development was well executed, but I can’t say the same about the dénouement. While I can appreciate the author’s use of multiple formats to tell the story, the ending leaves much to the reader’s interpretation and imagination. I also had a few issues with the structure of this novel. I enjoyed reading the segments on classic mystery writers, the discussions on the format and tropes used in crafting stories in this genre and the author’s musings on the same. However, these segments interspersed throughout the primary narrative of this novel impacted the flow of the story, often distracting the reader. It is evident the author is a skillful storyteller who knows much about his craft and has not hesitated to demonstrate the same, but that does not necessarily translate into a particularly satisfying reading experience.

In short, while I did have fun following the mystery, I can’t say that I enjoyed this book in its entirety.

Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley and the gifted hardcover edition. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. ( )

An author takes a risk when breaking the fourth wall. Here, there is not only a brief aside to the reader but a whole attempted dialog. I found it tedious and didn't finish the book.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com. ( )

West Heart is an exclusive country enclave owned by a number of wealthy families. As they gatehr for a bicentennial celebration, issues come to the surface and the body count rises. Can the detective purportedly hired by one of the members solve the crime, or is this story about something different after all.
This is a high concept book. McDorman wants to explore the whole genre of detective fiction and its rich heritage and he shows great learning and understanding. However the story is too disconnects from the concept and it becomes a little too clever for this reader. in fact I found it rather smug after a promising start. ( )

West Heart Kill is simultaneously an engrossing mystery and a dissection of the mystery genre. On one level, it’s a conventional variation on the “And Then There Were None” trope. Private Detective Adam McAnnis is on a case and finagles an invitation from a college friend to the 4th of July celebration at West Heart Kill, an exclusive lakeside hunting club in upstate New York. It’s seen better days but the descendants of the founding families continue to come to enjoy the lake and illicit hunting.

As soon as McAnnis arrives, it’s obvious these are not happy families. One man kills another’s dog and some suspect it was deliberate, revenge for a tragic accident that happened a few years back. McAnnis is clearly more than a casual visitor, his observant questioning riles some guests and attracts others. A torrential storm hits the area, washing out the bridge and cutting off contact. A woman’s body is found by the lakeshore, but it’s unclear whether it’s suicide or murder. However, the next body to fall leaves no doubt. Nor is there any doubt about the next murder.

West Heart Kill is one of the most fun, and direct, examples of metafiction I can think of. From the outset, we are part of the narrative as Dann McDorman treats us to the history, rules, and conventions of the mystery genre. He involves the Reader directly, demanding our participation in the solution.

I want to run down the street with this book hollering “Read this book!” to everyone I meet. It’s simply brilliant. I loved it from start to finish, a finish that surprised me completely.

I received a copy of West Heart Kill from the publisher through NetGalley.

West Heart Kill at Knopf | Penguin Random House
Dann McDorman on Twitter

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2023/11/11/west-heart-kill-by-dann-m... ( )

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman will not be a lot of people’s type of book, but there will be a cult following that comes from it. I can see people who enjoy reading theater/movie scripts or history books enjoying this one.

I had a very hard time getting into it, after trying numerous times. I enjoy quirky books (Geek Love by Katherine Dunn is a favorite!), but at times I found it very dry, just listing things, and the characters felt one dimensional to me.

I feel like this would be the type of book you would find people who frequent coffee houses to read their poetry or gather to discuss the vast history of mystery writing, really finding fun to discuss. ( )